Pat Collins, the longtime NBC4 reporter known for his snow stick, goofy costumes, old-school style, and long … dramatic … pauses announced his retirement on Thursday, ending 36 years at the station and a nearly 50-year journalism career.

Collins, 76, leaves the industry with a wide-ranging portfolio; while his idiosyncratic delivery in his quirkier coverage gained him local adoration (and at times, national recognition), he also covered politics, scandals, and crime. He told his station,  “My career has morphed into two things — I cover murders, and I measure snow.” His enthusiastic wielding of the snow stick and his theatrical delivery on camera have endeared him to audiences for nearly five decades.

A D.C. native turned D.C. institution, Collins will leave NBC 4 and the end of the year, telling Axios DC that he took a voluntary buyout offer from the station.

In honor of his departure, DCist/WAMU has rounded up some of the most memorable Pat Collins moments to look back on.

That time he dressed up as a bunch of grapes to interview “banana boy” … and followed up with him 10 years later

That time Mike needed to change his ways … or change his name …

That time the snowfall required not one, but two sticks … 

How much he loved reporting on animals … and incorporating people in animal costumes into those stories …

That time he cataloged Rusty the Red Panda’s (RIP) “day off” after the animal escaped from the National Zoo …  

And that time John Oliver dubbed him a bastion of “Local News Beat Poetry” … 

Correction: This story has been updated to remove an inaccurate reference to criticism of Collins’ work.